Transforming bed with a movable sleeping section and an extendable support

ABSTRACT

A cabinet bed that includes a movable spacer, attached to an extendable support (e.g., a movable drawer), for supporting a movable sleeping section and/or includes at least one laterally extending slidable guide to maintain the extendable support in alignment with the movable sleeping section. For example, the cabinet bed may include the movable spacer that is pivotably attached to the extendable support underneath the movable sleeping section when in a horizontal position. The cabinet bed may also include a pair of laterally extending slidable guides extending from each side of the extendable support and/or a second pair of laterally extending slidable glides extending toward a respective side of the extendable support to maintain the extendable support in alignment with the movable sleeping section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design ApplicationNo. 29/630,628 filed Dec. 21, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to beds, and more particularlyto folding beds.

BACKGROUND

Beds can take up a large amount of floor space within a room. Some bedsare foldable so that when the bed is not in use less space is required.

For example, some beds include a foldable mattress support and anextending drawer that supports part of the mattress support. Some ofthese extending drawers include a front cover that extends high enoughto provide support for part of the foldable mattress support when thefoldable mattress support is horizontal.

Also, previously known extending drawers have been connected to anotherpart of the bed. For example, the sides of some extending drawers areconnected via telescoping rails to sides of a lower part of the bed.Other extending drawers are not connected to the lower part of the bedvia telescoping rails, instead such other extending drawers areconnected to the lower part of the bed via folding/pivoting extensionpanels.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present application provides a cabinet bed that includes a movablespacer, attached to an extendable support (e.g., a movable drawer), forsupporting a movable sleeping section and/or includes at least onelaterally extending slidable guide to maintain the extendable support inalignment with the movable sleeping section. For example, the cabinetbed may include the movable spacer that is pivotably attached to theextendable support underneath the movable sleeping section when in ahorizontal position. The cabinet bed may also include a pair oflaterally extending slidable guides extending from each side of theextendable support and/or a second pair of laterally extending slidableglides extending toward a respective side of the extendable support tomaintain the extendable support in alignment with the movable sleepingsection.

The movable spacer may move to a support position where the movablesleeping section, when in the horizontal position, would rest on themovable spacer. The movable spacer may allow the extendable support toeasily move from underneath a cabinet floor and provide support for themovable sleeping section when in an extended position. Also, the movablespacer enables the movable sleeping section to be more evenly supportedthan would otherwise be provided with an extendable support without thespacer.

For example, a portion of the extendable support that is movable from aposition underneath a cabinet floor may be vertically spaced from thecabinet floor and the movable spacer may be movable to a position higherthan the portion of the extendable support. In an embodiment, when themovable spacer is in the support position and the movable sleepingsection is in the horizontal position, the top surface of the movablespacer would be coplanar with the bottom surface of the movable sleepingsection and the top surface of the movable sleeping section would becoplanar with the top surface of the cabinet floor.

The laterally extending slidable guides may allow the extendable supportto remain aligned with the movable sleeping section without connectingto any part of the cabinet bed that defines an extendable supportreceiving opening that the extendable support is disposed within when ina retracted position. The laterally extending slidable guides may enablethe extendable support to be aligned during use while not connected toanother part of the cabinet bed. For example, the laterally extendingslidable guides may include wheels that are rotatable about an axisparallel with a corresponding side of the extendable support.

The cabinet bed may include a pair of supports that are each pivotablyattached to a respective lateral side of the movable sleeping section.For example, the pair of supports may be pivotable about an axis that isparallel with a longitudinal axis of the movable sleeping section whenthe movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position.

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for transformingbetween a bed and a cabinet, comprises a rear cabinet panel, a cabinettop attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge of the rearcabinet panel, a first cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panelalong a first side edge of the rear cabinet panel, a second cabinet sideattached to the rear cabinet panel along a second side edge, of the rearcabinet panel, opposite the first side edge, a cabinet floor, a movablesleeping section that is movable from a first position to a horizontalposition where the movable sleeping section would be parallel with thecabinet floor. When the movable sleeping section is in the horizontalposition the cabinet floor and the movable sleeping section would bearranged to together support a mattress. The apparatus may furtherinclude a base comprising an extendable support receiving opening, anextendable support that is movable from a retracted position within theextendable support receiving opening to an extended position at leastpartially outside of the extendable support receiving opening, when inthe extended position the extendable support would be underneath themovable sleeping section when the movable sleeping section is in thehorizontal position, and a first movable spacer that is movably attachedto the extendable support, wherein the first movable spacer is movablefrom a first position, where a topmost surface of the first movablespacer is below an upward facing surface of the cabinet floor, to asecond position where the topmost surface is higher than when in thefirst position. When the extendable support is in the extended positionthe first movable spacer may support the movable sleeping section whenthe movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus fortransforming between a bed and a cabinet, comprises a rear cabinetpanel, a cabinet top attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edgeof the rear cabinet panel, a first cabinet side attached to the rearcabinet panel along a first side edge of the rear cabinet panel, asecond cabinet set attached to the rear cabinet panel along a secondside edge, of the rear cabinet panel, opposite the first side edge, acabinet floor, a movable sleeping section that is movable from a firstposition to a horizontal position where the movable sleeping sectionwould be parallel with the cabinet floor. When the movable sleepingsection is in the horizontal position the cabinet floor and the movablesleeping section would be arranged to together support a mattress. Theapparatus may further include a base comprising an extendable supportreceiving opening, and an extendable support that is movable from aretracted position within the extendable support receiving opening to anextended position at least partially outside of the extendable supportreceiving opening. When in the extended position the extendable supportwould be underneath the movable sleeping section when the movablesleeping section is in the horizontal position, and the extendablesupport includes a first laterally extending slidable guide protrudinglaterally from a first side of the extendable support toward a firstside of the base, and includes a second laterally extending slidableguide protruding laterally from a second side of the extendable supporttoward a second side of the base.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafterdescribed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique side view of an example of a cabinet bed in aclosed position.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 1 in the closedposition.

FIG. 3 is an oblique side view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 1 in an openstate.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of Fig. in the closedposition.

FIG. 5 is an oblique rear top view of a drawer of the cabinet bed ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an oblique front view of a portion of the cabinet bed of FIG.1 without the drawer.

FIG. 7 is an oblique top view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 1 with acabinet top opened and in a locked state.

FIG. 8 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 7 with thedrawer opened.

FIG. 9 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 7 including amovable spacer between its initial position and a support position.

FIG. 10 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 9 where themovable spacer is in the support position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 10 in anunlocked state and including a movable sleeping section that is betweenits closed position and a fully open position.

FIG. 14 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 13 where themovable sleeping section includes a cabinet front wall that is supportedon the drawer.

FIG. 15 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 14 wheresupport legs of the movable sleeping section are pivoted to an extendedposition.

FIG. 16 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 15 in afully open position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of this present application have particular applicationto cabinet beds, such as cabinet beds with the appearance of a largepair of doors and a lower drawer, and thus will be described belowchiefly in this context. It will be appreciated that principles of thisinvention may be applicable to other foldable beds, such as having theappearance of a chest of drawers or a single upper door with a bottombase.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-2, an example ofa cabinet bed is designated generally by reference numeral 20. Thecabinet bed 20 includes an upper cabinet 22, a base 24, and a movablesleeping section 26 that is movable into a horizontal position tosupport a mattress (not illustrated).

Turning to FIG. 3, the upper cabinet 22 includes a cabinet top 36,cabinet sides 38 and 40, a rear cabinet panel 42, and a cabinet floor44. The upper cabinet 22 may include a central back support 46 thatextends from the cabinet floor 44 to the cabinet top 36. In anembodiment, the upper cabinet does not include the central back support.

The cabinet top 36 may include a rear part 60 and a front part 62 thatis pivotable relative to the rear part 60. For example, the cabinet top36 includes hinges 64 that hingedly connect the front part 62 to therear part 60. The hinge 60 may bisect the cabinet top 36. In anembodiment, only a single hinge hingedly connects the front part to therear part. In another embodiment, the cabinet top is a single rigidpanel.

The cabinet sides 38 and 40 may each be orthogonal to the rear cabinetpanel 42, the cabinet floor 44, and the cabinet top 36 when the cabinettop 36 is in a horizontal position. The cabinet sides 38 and 40 may beattached along opposite side edges of the cabinet floor 44 and attachedalong opposite side edges of the cabinet top 36. For example, thecabinet sides 38 and 40 are laterally spaced from one another andattached to opposite sides of the cabinet floor 44 and attached toopposite sides of the rear part 60 of the cabinet top 36.

The rear cabinet panel 42 may be attached along its top and bottom edgesto the cabinet top 36 and the cabinet floor 44, respectively, and may beattached along its side edges to the cabinet sides 38 and 40. Forexample, the rear cabinet panel 42 is entirely circumscribed by,orthogonal to, and attached to the cabinet sides 38 and 40, the cabinetfloor 44, and the rear part 60 of the cabinet top 36.

The base 24 may include a bottom drawer 66 with a drawer front 68, baseside panels 70 and 72 (illustrated in FIG. 6), and a base back panel 74(illustrated in FIG. 4). The bottom drawer 66 is movable from inside ofto outside of a drawer receiving opening delineated by the base sidepanels 70 and 72, the cabinet floor 44, and the base back panel 74. Forexample, when in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the entirepart of the bottom drawer 66 rearward of the drawer front 68 isunderneath the cabinet floor 44 and the drawer front 68 abuts the frontof the base side panels 70 and 72. When the bottom drawer 66 is open, asshown in FIG. 3, the drawer front 68 is spaced in front of the base sidepanels 70 and 72 to provide support for the movable sleeping section 26when in the horizontal position.

The base 24 has a smaller footprint than the upper cabinet 22. Forexample, the cabinet sides 38 and 40 are offset outside of the base sidepanels 70 and 72 and the cabinet floor 44 extends laterally beyond thebase side panels 70 and 72.

The base side panels 70 and 72 may each include a joining member 80 and82 (shown in FIG. 6) and include a lateral spacer 84 and 86 (shown inFIG. 6). For example, the joining members 80 and 82 and the lateralspacers 84 and 86 have rectangular prism shapes. Also, the joiningmembers 80 and 82 attach a top of the corresponding base side panel 70or 72 to the cabinet floor 44, along a corresponding side edge of thecabinet floor 44 laterally inward from the corresponding cabinet side 38or 40.

Referring now to FIG. 5 in addition to FIG. 3, the bottom drawer 66includes the drawer front 68, the drawer side panels 90 and 92 (shown inFIG. 5), movable spacers 94 and 96, a drawer back panel 98, and a drawerbottom panel 100. For example, the drawer side panels 90 and 92 areparallel to one another and orthogonal to the drawer front 68, thedrawer back panel 98, and the drawer bottom panel 100. In an embodimentthe drawer does not include movable spacers. In another embodiment, thedrawer only includes one movable spacer. In yet another embodiment, thedrawer includes more than two movable spacers.

The movable spacers 94 and 96 are movably attached to correspondingdrawer side panel 90 or 92. For example, each movable spacer 94 and 96is a mirror image of the other and pivotably attached by hinges 102 tothe corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92.

Each movable spacer 94 and 96 is movable from a first position (e.g., asshown in FIG. 8—where a topmost surface of the movable spacer 94 or 96is below an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface of thecabinet floor 44) to a support position (e.g., (e.g., as shown in FIGS.5 and 10—where the topmost surface is higher than when in the firstposition). When the bottom drawer 66 is opened into an extendedposition, the movable spacers 94 and 96 are each in the supportposition, and movable sleeping section 26 is in the horizontal position,the movable spacers 94 and 96 provide support to the movable sleepingsection 26.

For example, the movable spacers 94 and 96 are each configured to pivotabout a corresponding axis that is parallel to a length of the movablesleeping section 26 when the movable sleeping section 26 is in thehorizontal position. In an embodiment, at least one movable spacer isconfigured to pivot about another axis, such as an axis perpendicular tothe length of the movable sleeping section when the movable sleepingsection is in the horizontal position

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the movable spacers 94 and 96 may eachextend along the axis that each pivots about. For example, each movablespacer 94 and 96 has a rectangular prism shape, and when in the supportposition each movable spacer 94 and 96 has an upwardly facing majorsurface with a length longer than its width, which is thicker than thedepth of the corresponding movable spacer 94 and 96.

In an embodiment, at least one of the movable spacers has another shape.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the base 24 may include laterally extendingguides 120, 122, 124, and 126 (all illustrated in FIG. 4) that maintainthe alignment of the bottom drawer 66 with the movable sleeping section26. For example, the bottom drawer 66 includes laterally extendingguides 120 or 122 that protrude laterally outward from the correspondingdrawer side panel 90 and 92 and are slidable along the correspondingbase side panel 70 or 72 when the bottom drawer 66 moves forward orbackward. Also, each laterally extending guide 124 and 126 extendslaterally inward from the corresponding base side panel 70 or 72 andallows the corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92 to slide along thecorresponding laterally extending guide 124 or 126 when the bottomdrawer 66 moves forward or backward.

Each laterally extending guides 124 and 126 may limit forward movementof the corresponding laterally extending guide 120 or 122 at apredetermined distance from the base back panel 74 of the base 24. Forexample, the laterally extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 aredisposed within a single plane that is parallel with the ground. Thelaterally extending guides 120 and 122 are disposed at the rear of thecorresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92 and the laterally extendingguides 124 and 126 are disposed at the front of the corresponding baseside panel 70 or 72. When the bottom drawer 66 moves forward apredetermined distance from its closed position the laterally extendingguides 120 and 122 move into contact with the laterally extending guides124 and 126.

The laterally extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 enable the bottomdrawer 66 to be aligned with the movable sleeping section 26 when movingrearward or forward without connecting the bottom drawer 66 to any partof the cabinet bed 20 that defines the drawer receiving opening. Forexample, the bottom drawer 66 is not connected to the base side panels70 and 72, the base back panel 74, and the cabinet floor 44.

The laterally extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 may be identicalto one another. For example, each laterally extending guide 120, 122,124, and 126 may include a wheel 128, 130, 132, or 134 that is contactsthe corresponding base side panel 70 or 72 or drawer side panel 90 or92. Each wheel 128, 130, 132, and 134 may be rotatable about arespective axis (e.g., aligned with a corresponding pin 136, 138, 140,or 142) parallel with one another and/or the corresponding drawer sidepanel 90 or 92.

In an embodiment, the laterally extending guides are not identical toone another. In another embodiment, the base does not include anylaterally extending guides. In yet another embodiment, the bottom drawerincludes laterally outwardly extending guides and does not includelaterally extending guides that protrude laterally inward from the baseside panels. In another embodiment, the base side panels includelaterally inwardly extending guides and does not include laterallyextending guides that protrude laterally outward from the bottom drawer.

Referring now to only FIG. 4, the bottom drawer 66 includes bottomcastors or wheels 170 to allow easy sliding along the floor when thebottom drawer 66 moves from the closed position to the open position. Inan embodiment, the bottom drawer includes another sliding mechanism. Inanother embodiment, the bottom drawer does not include a slidingmechanism.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drawer front 68 and the mattressplatform 26 may include decorative features. For example, the bottomdrawer 66 includes knobs or handles 172 of suitable decor, which may bechosen to match handles 174 of the movable sleeping section 26. Themovable sleeping section 26 includes a decorative front contour 176 suchas an inward bevel or an outward bevel to provide the appearance thatthe movable sleeping section 26 is divided into two sections such ascabinet doors or drawers. In an embodiment, none of the above decorativefeatures are included. In another embodiment, the movable sleepingsection does not include the decorative front contouring. In yet anotherembodiment, two or more decorative front contours are provided to themovable sleeping section to provide the appearance that the movablesleeping section is divided into three or more sections.

Also, each base side panel 70 and 72 (illustrated in FIG. 4) includesadjustable feet 180 (also identified in FIG. 6) that are configured toraise and lower corresponding portions of the corresponding base sidepanel 70 or 72. In an embodiment, the feet may be fixed. In anotherembodiment, the base side panels may not include feet.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the movable sleeping section 26 includes afront cabinet panel 200 and an inside front panel 202. The front cabinetpanel 200 is pivotable relative to the cabinet floor 44 from a closedposition to an open position. For example, the front cabinet panel 200is hingedly attached to the cabinet floor 44 and can move from avertical closed position (exemplified in FIG. 1) to a horizontal openposition (exemplified in FIG. 3) where front cabinet panel 200 isparallel with the cabinet floor 44.

The inside front panel 202 is movable relative to the front cabinetpanel 200 from an inverted position (exemplified in FIG. 14)—parallelwith the front cabinet panel 200—to an upright position (exemplified inFIG. 3)—parallel with the front cabinet panel 200. For example, theinside front panel 202 is hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel200 at an end opposite the cabinet floor 44. When the front cabinetpanel 200 is in the horizontal open position, the inside front panel 202is movable to an upright horizontal position where the inside frontpanel 202, the front cabinet panel 200, and the cabinet floor 44 arearranged parallel to one another and have coplanar upward facingsurfaces to together support the mattress (not illustrated).

The upper cabinet 22 may include locking mechanisms 210 (alsoillustrated in FIG. 7), such as easy to operate latches and/or boltssuch that the cabinet sides 38 and/or 40 can be securely fastened to theinside front panel 202 and/or the front cabinet panel 200. Securing theinside front panel 202 or the front cabinet panel 200 to at least one ofthe cabinet sides 38 and/or 40 may prevent the front cabinet panel 200and the inside front panel 202 from falling open. In an embodiment, alocking mechanism is disposed outside the upper cabinet instead of or inaddition to a locking mechanism disposed inside the upper cabinet.

In another embodiment, the inside front panel includes a handle toassist in folding the movable sleeping section into its closed position.The handle on inside front panel could be positioned to face downwardwhen the movable sleeping section is in its horizontal position toreceive the mattress, for example positioned such that the handle wouldnot touch the bottom drawer or another component.

In yet another embodiment, the inside front panel is movably connectedto the cabinet front panel in a different manner and/or the cabinetfront panel is movably connected to the cabinet floor in a differentmanner. In yet another embodiment, the movable sleeping section does notinclude an inside panel.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the movable sleeping section 26 may includesupport legs 220 and 222 that are each pivotably attached to one side ofthe inside front panel 202. When the front cabinet panel 200 is in thehorizontal open position and the inside front panel 202 is in theupright horizontal position, the support legs 220 and 222 are pivotableabout a corresponding axis that is parallel to the length of the movablesleeping section 26. For example, the support legs 220 and 22 arepivotable from a retracted position (exemplified in FIG. 14) to apivoted position (exemplified in FIG. 3) where a lowermost surface ofeach of the support legs 220 and 22 is below the cabinet floor 44 andlower than when in the retracted position.

Fasteners 230 such as screws, glue or rivets can be used to hold variouspieces together, including hinges and panels as appropriate.

Also, additional features can be added to the cabinet bed 20 to improveease of use and/or reduce wear on the parts. For example, the topmostsurface of the movable spacers 94 and 96 and/or the topmost surfaces ofthe bottom drawer 66 may be formed partially or entirely of felt oranother soft surface, as exemplified in FIG. 5, to reduce sound and toreduce wear on the movable sleeping section 26.

FIGS. 7-16 illustrate the cabinet bed 20 transitioning from its closedstate shown in FIG. 1 to its fully-open state shown in FIGS. 16-18 wherethe mattress can be placed on the movable sleeping section 26 for aperson to sleep on. Initially referring to FIG. 7, the cabinet top 36 ofthe upper cabinet 22 may be opened by pivoting the front part 62 of thecabinet top 36 upward. When the front part 62 is lifted up, the lockingmechanisms 210 may be disconnected by the user to allow the movablesleeping section 26 to move to its horizontal position.

As shown in FIG. 8, one or more hydraulic or pneumatic pistons 240 maybe configured to hold the front part 62 in the upward position and/or tosoften opening and closing of the front part 62. In an embodiment, thepistons are not included, and the front part is configured to rotate180° from its closed position to overlap the rear part of the cabinettop.

Referring still to FIG. 8, before or after the front part 62 is liftedup, the bottom drawer 66 may be pulled forward from underneath thecabinet floor 44 to form a support for the front cabinet panel 200. Asshown in FIGS. 9-12, the movable spacers 94 and 96 may be rotated abouttheir respective hinges so that the corresponding major surfaces arehorizontal and facing upward to receive the front cabinet panel 200.When the bottom drawer 66 is opened, the user may pull out any desireditems from the bottom drawer 66, such as pillows or bedding (notillustrated).

In an embodiment, pulling the bottom drawer forward, from its closedposition underneath the cabinet floor, includes unfolding hingedlyconnected extension panels that are hingedly connected to the bottomdrawer and another part of the base. In an alternative embodiment,pulling the bottom drawer forward includes extending telescopic railsthat are connected to the bottom drawer and another part of the base,for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,758 issued on Aug. 18,2009 to Arason.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the front cabinet panel 200 rotating from itsvertical closed position to its horizontal open position when thelocking mechanisms 210 are in an unlocked state. When in the horizontalopen position, the front cabinet panel 200 is supported by the drawerfront 68 and the major surface of the movable spacers 94 and 96.

When the front cabinet panel 200 is in the horizontal open position, thefront part 62 of cabinet top 36 can be moved back to its horizontalposition to reduce the visibility obstructed by the height of theprofile of the upper cabinet 22.

FIG. 15 illustrates the rotation of the support legs 220 and 222relative to the inside front panel 202 from the retracted horizontalposition to the pivoted position.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the cabinet bed 20 in the fully-open state wherethe inside front panel 202 has been unfolded so that the mattress orother cushioning material suitable for sleeping on can be placed on thefront cabinet panel 200, the inside cabinet panel 202, and the cabinetfloor 44 for a user to lay on. When unfolding the inside front panel 202to lower the support legs 220 and 222 toward the ground, a handle (notshown) secured to the inside front panel 202 can be gripped to assist inpivoting the inside front panel 202 toward the ground.

The mattress may be stored inside the upper cabinet 22 above the cabinetfloor 44 when the upper cabinet 22 is closed, and when the upper cabinet22 is opened the mattress can be pulled out of the upper cabinet 22 andunfolded onto the front cabinet panel 200 and the inside front panel202. When the mattress is laying flat, the bed can be made by puttingbedding stored in the bottom drawer 66 on the mattress and placingpillows stored in the bottom drawer 66 on the mattress. In anembodiment, the mattress is made of three sections which can be hingedlyattached to one another in a chain by fabric so that the mattress easilyfolds up and unfolds in sections similar in size to the upward facingsurfaces of the cabinet floor 44, the front cabinet panel 200, and theinside cabinet panel 200.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalentalterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the artupon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexeddrawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by theabove described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions,etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describesuch elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany element which performs the specified function of the describedelement (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodimentsof the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of theinvention may have been described above with respect to only one or moreof several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined withone or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desiredand advantageous for any given or particular application.

1. Apparatus for transforming between a bed and a cabinet, comprising arear cabinet panel; a cabinet top attached to the rear cabinet panelalong a top edge of the rear cabinet panel; a first cabinet sideattached to the rear cabinet panel along a first side edge of the rearcabinet panel; a second cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panelalong a second side edge, of the rear cabinet panel, opposite the firstside edge; a cabinet floor; a movable sleeping section that is movablefrom a first position to a horizontal position where the movablesleeping section would be parallel with the cabinet floor, wherein whenthe movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position the cabinetfloor and the movable sleeping section would be arranged to togethersupport a mattress; a base comprising an extendable support receivingopening; an extendable support that is movable from a retracted positionwithin the extendable support receiving opening to an extended positionat least partially outside of the extendable support receiving opening,wherein when in the extended position the extendable support would beunderneath the movable sleeping section when the movable sleepingsection is in the horizontal position; and a first movable spacer thatis movably attached to the extendable support, wherein the first movablespacer is movable from a first position, where a topmost surface of thefirst movable spacer is below an upward facing surface of the cabinetfloor, to a second position where the topmost surface is higher thanwhen in the first position wherein when the extendable support is in theextended position the first movable spacer would support the movablesleeping section when the movable sleeping section is in the horizontalposition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a secondmovable spacer that is movably attached to the extendable support,wherein the second movable spacer is movable from a first position,where a topmost surface of the second movable spacer is below an upwardfacing surface of the cabinet floor, to a second position where thetopmost surface is higher than when in the first position wherein whenthe extendable support is in the extended position the second movablespacer would support the movable sleeping section when the movablesleeping section is in the horizontal position.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the first movable spacer is movably attached to a firstside of the extendable support, and the second movable spacer is movablyattached to a second side of the extendable support opposite the firstside.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the movable spacers arepivotably coupled to the extendable support such that the movablespacers pivot about corresponding axes that are parallel to a length ofthe movable sleeping section when in the horizontal position.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first movable spacer is in thefirst position the topmost surface of the first movable spacer is belowa downward facing surface of the cabinet floor.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first movable spacer extends along an axis that isparallel to a length of the movable sleeping section when in thehorizontal position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendablesupport is a drawer that is movable from a closed drawer position withinthe extendable support receiving opening to an open drawer position atleast partially outside of the extendable support receiving opening,wherein when in the open position the drawer would support the movablesleeping section when the movable sleeping section is in the horizontalposition.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawer has a frontdrawer face, a rear drawer face, two side drawer faces, and a drawerbase that is orthogonal to the front, rear, and side drawer faces, 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable sleep section comprises: afront cabinet panel hingedly attached along a bottom edge to the cabinetfloor, and an inside front panel hingedly attached along a top edge tothe front cabinet panel, the front cabinet panel and the inside frontpanel being moveable between a closed cabinet position orthogonal to thecabinet floor and the cabinet top and parallel to the rear cabinet panelto an open cabinet position parallel to the cabinet floor and thecabinet top and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel.
 10. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the cabinet top is orthogonal to the rear cabinetpanel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first cabinet side andthe second cabinet side are orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel andorthogonal to the cabinet top.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theextendable support includes a first laterally extending slidable guideprotruding laterally from a first side of the extendable support towarda first side of the base, and includes a second laterally extendingslidable guide protruding laterally from a second side of the extendablesupport toward a first side of the base.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the base includes a first laterally extending guide protrudinglaterally from a first side of the base toward the first side of theextendable support, and includes a second laterally extending guideprotruding laterally from a second side of the base toward the secondside of the extendable support; and wherein the first laterallyextending guide limits forward movement of the first laterally extendingslidable guide at a predetermined distance from a rear end of the base,and the second laterally extending guide limits forward movement of thesecond laterally extending slidable guide at the predetermined distancefrom rear end of the base.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein themovable sleeping section comprises: a front cabinet panel pivotablerelative to the cabinet floor such that the front cabinet panel ismovable from a first cabinet panel position to a horizontal positionwhere the front cabinet panel would be parallel with the cabinet floor;an inside front panel that is movable relative to the front cabinetpanel from a first position to a second position parallel with the frontcabinet panel, whereby when the front cabinet panel is in the horizontalposition the inside front panel is movable to the second position wherethe inside front panel, the front cabinet panel, and the cabinet floorwould be arranged parallel to one another to together support amattress; a first support leg pivotably attached to a first side of theinside front panel, wherein when the front cabinet panel is in thehorizontal position and the inside front panel is in the secondposition, the first support leg is pivotable, about an axis that isparallel to the length of the movable sleeping section when in thehorizontal position, from a retracted position to a pivoted positionwhere a lowermost surface of the first support leg is below the cabinetfloor and lower than when in the retracted position; and a secondsupport leg pivotably attached to a second side of the inside frontpanel opposite the first side, wherein when the front cabinet panel isin the horizontal position and the inside front panel is in the secondposition, the second support leg is pivotable, about an axis that isparallel to the length of the movable sleeping section when in thehorizontal position, from a retracted position to a pivoted positionwhere a lowermost surface of the second support leg is below the cabinetfloor and lower than when in the retracted position.
 15. Apparatus fortransforming between a bed and a cabinet, comprising a rear cabinetpanel; a cabinet top attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edgeof the rear cabinet panel; a first cabinet side attached to the rearcabinet panel along a first side edge of the rear cabinet panel; asecond cabinet set attached to the rear cabinet panel along a secondside edge, of the rear cabinet panel, opposite the first side edge; acabinet floor; a movable sleeping section that is movable from a firstposition to a horizontal position where the movable sleeping sectionwould be parallel with the cabinet floor, wherein when the movablesleeping section is in the horizontal position the cabinet floor and themovable sleeping section would be arranged to together support amattress; a base comprising an extendable support receiving opening; andan extendable support that is movable from a retracted position withinthe extendable support receiving opening to an extended position atleast partially outside of the extendable support receiving opening,wherein when in the extended position the extendable support would beunderneath the movable sleeping section when the movable sleepingsection is in the horizontal position; wherein the extendable supportincludes a first laterally extending slidable guide protruding laterallyfrom a first side of the extendable support toward a first side of thebase, and includes a second laterally extending slidable guideprotruding laterally from a second side of the extendable support towarda second side of the base.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thefirst laterally extending slidable guide and the second laterallyextending slidable guide each include a wheel that is rotatable about arespective axis parallel with a corresponding first side or second sideof the extendable support such that the wheel is configured to rollforward and backward along a corresponding one of the first side or thesecond side of the base.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the baseincludes a first laterally extending guide protruding laterally from afirst side of the base toward the first side of the extendable support,and includes a second laterally extending guide protruding laterallyfrom a second side of the base toward the second side of the extendablesupport; and wherein the first laterally extending guide limits forwardmovement of the first laterally extending slidable guide at apredetermined distance from a rear end of the base, and the secondlaterally extending guide limits forward movement of the secondlaterally extending slidable guide at the predetermined distance fromrear end of the base.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the baseincludes a first laterally extending guide protruding laterally from afirst side of the base toward the first side of the extendable support,and includes a second laterally extending guide protruding laterallyfrom a second side of the base toward the second side of the extendablesupport; wherein the first laterally extending guide limits forwardmovement of the first laterally extending slidable guide at apredetermined distance from a rear end of the base, and the secondlaterally extending guide limits forward movement of the secondlaterally extending slidable guide at the predetermined distance fromrear end of the base; and wherein the first laterally extending slidableguide, the second laterally extending slidable guide, the firstlaterally extending guide, and the second laterally extending guide eachinclude a wheel that is rotatable about a respective axis parallel witha corresponding first side or second side of the extendable support,wherein the wheels of the laterally extending slidable guides areconfigured to roll along a corresponding one of the first side or thesecond side of the base, and wherein the wheels of the laterallyextending guides are configured to roll along a corresponding one of thefirst side or the second side of the extendable support.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the wheels of the laterally extendingslidable guides are disposed at a rear of the extendable support, andthe wheels of the laterally extending guides are disposed at a front ofthe base.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the movable sleepsection comprises: a front cabinet panel hingedly attached along abottom edge to the cabinet floor, and an inside front panel hingedlyattached along a top edge to the front cabinet panel, the front cabinetpanel and the inside front panel being moveable between a closed cabinetposition orthogonal to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top andparallel to the rear cabinet panel to an open cabinet position parallelto the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and orthogonal to the rearcabinet panel; and wherein the extendable support is a drawer that ismovable from a closed drawer position within the extendable supportreceiving opening to an open drawer position at least partially outsideof the extendable support receiving opening, wherein when in the openposition the drawer would support the movable sleeping section when themovable sleeping section is in the horizontal position.